Special Moments with Sachin

Several people have asked me what it is like to document the life of Sachin Tendulkar. What it is like to be working on his autobiography for close to three years now. Frankly, the best part of the whole process is to be able to uncover the witty and caring side of Sachin. Things that are not always visible to his fans and to the public. Sachin Tendulkar can be incredibly witty and naughty at the same time. His one liners, punchy and subtle, can make the most solemn of people break out into fits of laughter. It is this Sachin and the one who can touch the heart instantly that I want to write about on the occasion of his 41st birthday.

It is very difficult to break down his outer veneer- only natural with the kind of adulation he receives. With every second person asking for an autograph or posing for a photograph, I have often wondered how the man conducts himself with poise without losing his patience. Yet he does. And yet he retains his sense of humour and opens up in the most private of quarters, to family and very close friends.

Two instances will help illustrate the point- the first was in England during an Indian away tour. Sachin was not playing the one day international series and was driving along St. Johns Wood close to Lords on the day of an India game. Just then did he spot a group of youngsters all wearing the Tendulkar 10 jersey, making their way to the stadium. Sachin, the prankster, surfaced immediately and he decided on having a little bit of fun. All he did was take his car as close to this group of Indian fans as possible, roll down the window and say to them with utmost humility, My name is also Tendulkar. By the time the fans realised who was behind the wheel of the car, he had put the vehicle in gear and driven off. While some of them did try to chase having just missed out on meeting crickets god first hand, Sachin went about his business as normal having had a good laugh.

The second instance is about Sachin a very dear friend who I have come to admire and respect. The person who is always gracious and often goes the extra distance for his friends. It was the evening of his retirement when the entire country was going crazy about him. Every 24/7 news channel was full of him and every sports channel had programmes on him round the clock. Never had the cricket world seen a retirement like this before.

I had the opportunity of seeing him around 7.30 pm in the evening in his 19th room at the Taj in Mumbai. While every Indian cricket fan was feeling sad at the thought of not seeing him in India colours ever again, the man himself was all grace and dignity. The moment I entered his room he walked up with a warm smile and patted me on the back as if to suggest, no point being sad. Every good thing has to come to an end. And then he did something I will forever remember. He gave me a box of splendid dark chocolates. I love dark chocolates and Sachin knows it well. He has gifted me dark chocolates a number of times but this one was special. He handed over the box and said softly Thanks for all your support. It felt surreal to say the least. Here was someone who had just been made the youngest Bharat Ratna in Indian history and he has remembered to keep ready a box of dark chocolates to say thank you. It was unbelievable.

But that's why Sachin is different. Thats why he is India's single biggest icon and will continue to be one for as long as he lives. Despite having won every honour that one can possibly win, he hasn't changed. And having known him well for more than a decade it wouldn't be wrong to say that he perhaps never will. All the more reason why we all love Sachin Tendulkar- a doting father, a living legend and most of all, for me personally, a very dear friend. Happy 41st birthday Sachin.